Thwaites, who turns 32 in December, scored 550 goals at almost 91 per cent accuracy this year, ranking her the fourth-highest goal scorer in the national competition.

However, she was not in the Magpies' plans going forward and was forced to find a new home after being one of the founding members of the club two years ago.

"Unfortunately I wasn't on the Magpies' priority list and they didn't end up putting an offer forward for me," Thwaites told the Herald Sun.

"It definitely was a bit of a shock and it's been a really hard last three or four weeks to be honest figuring out where I stand with a lot of things.

"I feel like I've given so much of myself over the last two years but it is what it is and netball in particular is becoming a lot more professional so you've got to take the good with the bad."

Melbourne Vixens recruit Caitlin Thwaites. Photo: Grant Treeby

The signing at the Vixens on a one-year deal is a return to the club for Thwaites after serving there from 2008-10, a stint which included a 2009 championship win.

Renae Ingles was a teammate during that time and will be again but it is otherwise all new faces which Thwaites said was exciting as the Vixens seek a return to finals after finishing fifth this year.

"There's a lot of up-and-coming members of the Diamonds," Thwaites said.

"Having seen what the club's been about the last few years, they've had such a core group of players who have stuck together and have a few years under their belt together now so I think it's really exciting for the Vixens."

Thwaites finished runner-up in the Magpies' best-and-fairest this year after winning the award in 2017.